Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Royal Albert China - Old Country Roses

Before I begin my post about Royal Albert China, please join me for a cup of tea and a mini-pumpkin pie croissant.

Now, we're ready to begin ... In 1895, Thomas Clarke Wild joined his father, Thomas Wild, in the purchase of the Albert Works, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England. They created their first royal commemorative items in 1897, to honor the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Wild became sole owner on the death of his father in 1898. The St. Mary's Works building in Longton [photo below] was purchased in 1905, and as business prospered, Wild acquired several other pottery factories too. His two sons, Thomas E. Wild and Frederick C. Wild were admitted into partnership in 1917.

[Internet Photo]

Royal Albert was the trading name of the firm, named for Prince Albert, who was crowned King George VI in 1936.

Royal Albert was inspired by everything English - the country garden and England's national flower, the rose. The china is known for its high quality and three virtues: translucency, beauty and durability.

One of the most famous Royal Albert patterns [and the "flagship" of the brand] is Old Country Roses [OCR], launched in 1962, designed by Harold Holdcroft. It was based on an older Royal Albert pattern, Kings Ransom. Old Country Roses continues to be one of the world's most popular, and best selling china patterns.

In 1970, all connection to the founders T.C. Wild & Sons was dropped and the company was renamed Royal Albert Limited.

In 1972, Royal Albert Ltd. became part of the Royal Doulton group.

In 2002, Royal Albert production moved from England to Royal Doulton's facilities in Indonesia.

Currently, Royal Albert is a core brand of WWRD [Waterford, Wedgewood, Royal Doulton] Holding Ltd.

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All of my Old Country Roses tea sets are made in Indonesia - none are from England - but I like them anyway.

Classic Old Country Roses Pattern

Old Country Roses Basket Weave

We used to have a Royal Doulton outlet within reasonable driving distance and that's where I purchased the Old Country Roses Ruby Celebration teapot below. Sadly, the outlet is no longer there.

2002 Old Country Roses House Teapot

It sits high on a shelf in the family room that my hubby built specifically for teapots.

When a dear friend decided to sell her tea room "turn key," she asked me beforehand if there was anything I wanted from the tea room. One of the things I purchased was an Old Country Roses clock she had hanging behind the counter in the gift shop. It was one of the first pieces she bought to decorate the gift shop, that wasn't retail merchandise. I'm always reminded of her and the beautiful tea room whenever I look at it.

I loved it when Home Goods and Marshalls sold Old Country Roses accessory pieces, but I havent seen the pattern there for quite some time.

Below is one of the china cabinets in my home that displays my Royal Albert china. It was the very first piece of quality furniture [Temple Stuart] that my hubby and I purchased after getting out of the military and setting up housekeeping. It has stood the test of time, [three children], and looks almost as good as it did the day we purchased it 43 years ago.

I blogged about a Valentine's tea I gave for my granddaughters here, where I used my Old Country Roses China. It sets a beautiful table.

10 comments:

Old Country Roses is one of my favorite patterns but I don't have any of it (yet). However, there IS a Royal Doulton outlet store about an hour from me so I think I'll be checking there more often. Enjoyed seeing your pretty teapots and other pieces. Love the clock!

Old Country Roses is one of the best selling patterns of all time, and you know why! It sets such a pretty table! What a great collection you have. Thanks for sharing your treasure and linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!Ruth

Hello Phyllis,OCR is a beautiful pattern and it sets a stunning table! I love it and it always reminds me of my father as he favoured it himself. I especially like your Ruby Celebration teapot. You have some very lovely pieces and you have a wonderful china cabinet too. That is a great idea having a shelf built to display your treasures! Thank you for sharing your pretties with us today and have a beautiful day.

What a wonderful post - and so many of the "gift" pieces too! I sold Old Country Rose in my store for years and was sad to see the 2002 change to Indonesia. I never kept any of the English from my store. One day about 4 years ago a woman walked in my store and wanted to sell her Mother In Law's set- English from the 1960's with 10 place settings plus lots of bowls, other items. My hubby bought it for me for our 40th- $200.00 for everything. I later found the teapot that was missing at the antique mall for $35.00 - also English. IT IS TRULY A CLASSIC SET and yours is cherished! I love all your displays!

I've been wanting to know more about Royal Albert! And, since OCR is my mom's china pattern, I look for it for her, and a Marietta HomeGoods had trays, vases and more just last weekend. Maybe they're putting it out in advance of the holidays? LOVE your clock and story!

Hi Phyllis,What a beautiful collection of teapots you have! Love your china cabinet with all your treasures in it. It reminds me of the one I had when the kids were home. Our log home has no wall space for it so gave it to my daughter when she got married. Your tea looks so beautiful with your lovely china. Have a good evening!Nancy

I don't know anything about antiques, Royal Albert, or the Old English Roses collection. But I do know what's pretty and what I like. I have four beautiful bread and butter plates which are stamped on the back: Royal Albert Bone China 1962 Old Country Roses. I want to purchase tea cups and saucers to match, however the background of my plates are ivory/cream colored and the background of the tea cups and saucers available for purchase are white. Thus far I'm unable to find the ivory/cream colors to match what I already have. Any suggestions? Thank you for your help.